Ambidextrous Convertible Packaging

ABSTRACT

A blank for forming a container comprises a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel. A pair of opposed back flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel. A pair of opposed first side flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel. A pair of opposed front flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel. A pair of opposed second side flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to containers, and more particularly to retail ready containers.

2. Description of Related Art

Retail ready containers can be used to package and ship product to retail locations. In the retail setting, such containers are converted to display the product. Some portion of the converted containers may be discarded as part of the conversion process. Consumers can access and remove product directly from the converted container, e.g., from a tray portion remaining of the container after conversion.

Retail ready containers can be erected using right-handed erector machines or left-handed erector machines, where right-handed erector machines rotate the main panels of a container blank in a clockwise direction and left-handed erector machines rotate the main panels in a counter-clockwise direction. So left-handed erector machines traditionally require a modified blank layout relative to right-handed erector machines. Operators with both types of erector machines traditionally need to maintain two different inventories of blanks, right-handed and left-handed, in order to keep both machines operating.

The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved containers. This disclosure provides a solution for this need.

SUMMARY

A blank for forming a container comprises a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel. A pair of opposed back flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel. A pair of opposed first side flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel. A pair of opposed front flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel. A pair of opposed second side flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel.

The blank can be configured such that a first one of the back flaps, a first one of the first side flaps, a first one of the front flaps, and a first one of the second side flaps are configured to form a top panel. The blank can be configured such that a second one of the back flaps, a second one of the first side flaps, a second one of the front flaps, and a second one of the second side flaps are configured to form a bottom panel.

The blank can include a line of weakness that can be defined across the back panel, the first side panel, the front panel, and the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness is configured to allow separation of a portion of a top portion of the container from a bottom portion of the container. The line of weakness can be configured so the top portion and bottom portion are the same size and shape so the blank can be erected on a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without changing appearance of the container after converting. A front panel portion of the line of weakness can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a back panel portion of the line of weakness. A first side panel portion of the line of weakness can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness. The front panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel. The first side panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel.

At least a portion of the line of weakness can follow at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels. The line of weakness can follow a central portion of an edge of the front panel, and a central portion of an edge of the back panel. The line of weakness need not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel. The line of weakness can include at least one opening feature configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness. The line of weakness can extend across an adhesive flap extending from the blank.

A container comprises a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel connected to a first side panel, a back panel connected to the first side panel, and a second side panel connected to the back panel and to the front panel. A pair of opposed back flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel. A pair of opposed bottom flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel. A pair of opposed front flaps are foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel. A pair of opposed top flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel.

A first one of the back flaps, a first one of the first side flaps, a first one of the front flaps, and a first one of the second side flaps can overlap to form a top panel. A second one of the back flaps, a second one of the first side flaps, a second one of the front flaps, and a second one of the second side flaps can overlap to form a bottom panel.

A line of weakness can be defined across the back panel, the first side panel, the front panel, and the second side panel. The line of weakness can be configured to allow separation of a portion of a top portion of the container from a bottom portion of the container. The line of weakness can be configured so the top portion and bottom portion are the same size and shape so a blank from which the container is erected can be erected on a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without changing appearance of the container after converting.

A front panel portion of the line of weakness can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a back panel portion of the line of weakness. A first side panel portion of the line of weakness can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness. The front panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel. The first side panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel.

At least a portion of the line of weakness can follow at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels. The line of weakness can follow a central portion of an edge of the front panel, and a central portion of an edge of the back panel. The line of weakness need not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel. The line of weakness can include at least one opening feature configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness. The line of weakness can extend across an adhesive flap extending from the blank.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an ambidextrous convertible packaging constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a container;

FIG. 1B is an exploded schematic perspective view of the container of FIG. 1A showing a converted, retail ready view of the same container;

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a blank of the container of FIGS. 1A-1B;

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of a palletized form of a container formed from the blank of FIG. 2 showing a configuration for used in a right-hand erector machine;

FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of the palletized container of FIG. 3A showing rotation across an axis A;

FIG. 3C schematic perspective view of a palletized form of a container formed from the blank of FIG. 2 showing a configuration for used in a left-hand erector machine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the constructed palletized container of FIGS. 3A and 3C, showing erection of the container in both a right-hand and left-hand erector machines;

FIG. 5 is schematic plan view of another blank of a container constructed in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of another ambidextrous convertible packaging constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, showing a container; and

FIG. 6B is an exploded schematic perspective view of the container of FIG. 6A showing a converted, retail ready view of the same container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an embodiment of a shelf ready ambidextrous container in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1 s designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of systems in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIGS. 1B-6B, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used to form an ambidextrous retail ready shipping container.

A blank 102 for forming a container 100 comprises a plurality of panels 106, 108, 110, 112 connected together at fold lines 111, 109, 107 configured for extending at least partially around an interior space 104. The panels can include a front panel 106, a first side panel 108, a back panel 110 (labeled in FIG. 2) opposed to the front panel 106 and a second side panel 112 opposed to the first side panel 108. A pair of opposed back flaps 114 are foldably connected to opposed edges 116 a, 116 b of the back panel 110. A pair of opposed first side flaps 118 foldably connected to opposed edges 120 a, 120 b of the first side panel 108. A pair of opposed front flaps 122 are foldably connected to opposed edges 124 a, 124 b of the front panel 106. A pair of opposed second side flaps 126 foldably connected to opposed edges 128 a, 128 b of the second side panel 112. For any flaps or panels hidden from view in FIGS. 1A-1B, refer to FIG. 2.

With reference now to FIGS. 1A-2, The blank 102 can be configured such that a first one of the back flaps 114 a, a first one of the first side flaps 118 a, a first one of the front flaps 122 a, and a first one of the second side flaps 126 a are configured to form a top panel 130. The blank 102 can be configured such that a second one of the back flaps 114 b, a second one of the first side flaps 118 b, a second one of the front flaps 122 b, and a second one of the second side flaps 126 b are configured to form a bottom panel 132.

The blank 102 can include a line of weakness 134 that can be defined across the back panel 110, the first side panel 108, the front panel 106, and the second side panel 112. The line of weakness 134 can be configured to allow separation a top portion 136 of the container 100 from a bottom portion 138 of the container 100, as indicated in FIG. 1B by the upward pointing arrow indicating conversion of the container 100. The line of weakness 134 can be configured so the top portion 136 and bottom portion 138 of the container 100 are the same size and shape, i.e. the top portion 136 in FIG. 2 can be flipped 180° from the position shown in FIGS. 1A-1B to be identical to the bottom portion 138. Having the top and bottom portions 136, 138 the same size and shape allows a single blank 102 to be used with a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without modification to the blank 102, and without changing appearance of the container 100 after converting (e.g. as shown in FIG. 4).

A front panel portion of the line of weakness 140 has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane P (e.g. the plane of viewing in FIG. 2) defined by the blank 102 with a back panel portion of the line of weakness 142. The first side panel portion of the line of weakness 144 can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane P defined by the blank 102 with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness 146. The front panel 106, including its portion of the line of weakness 140, can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane P defined by the blank 102 with the back panel 110. The first side panel 108, including its portion of the line of weakness 144, can have 180° rotational symmetry in a plane P defined by the blank 102 with the back panel 110.

It is contemplated the line of weakness 134 need not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel (e.g. edges 116, 120, 124, 128). For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-2, the line of weakness 134 can form a front lip 152 on front panel 106 and back lip 154 on back panel 110. The line of weakness 134 can include at least one opening feature 156 configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness 134. The opening feature can be generally circular in shape or can be lunate, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2, or can be any suitable shape. The line of weakness 134 can extend across an adhesive flap 158 extending from the blank 102. The line of weakness 134 can be formed by perforating, scoring, or any other suitable method.

A palletized version 160 of container 100 can be formed from blank 102 by folding first side panel 108 along fold line 109, folding second side panel 112 along fold line 107, folding back panel 110 along fold line 111, folding adhesive flap 158 along fold line 157, adhering adhesive flap 158 to a portion of the back panel 110, and collapsing the structure to form a palletized container 160 of the container 100, e.g. as shown in FIGS. 3A-4. The palletized container 160 can be inserted into an erector machine. The palletized container 160 can be inserted into either a left-hand erector machine, or a right-hand erector machine without reconfiguring the blank 102. In order to adapt the palletized container 160 to fit the erector machine, the palletized container 160 need only be flipped 180 degrees along a horizontal axis A, e.g. as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C.

As shown in FIG. 4, a right-handed erector machine operates in a clock-wise direction, requiring the palletized container 160 to be inserted into the machine with the back panel 110 and first side panel 112 leading. The container 100 can then be erected by moving back panel 110 and front panel 106 forward in a clockwise direction. To convert the palletized container 160 for use in a left-hand erector machine, the palletized container 160 must be flipped 180 degrees, and rotated in its plane, as shown in FIG. 4. The left-hand erector machine operates in a counter-clockwise direction, requiring the palletized container 160 to be inserted into the machine with the front panel 106 and side panel 108 leading. The container 100 can then be erected by moving back panel 110 and front panel 106 forward in a counter-clockwise direction.

In a right hand-erector machine, completed container 100 can be formed from palletized container 160 by erecting palletized container 160 as described above, folding a second back flap 114 b inward along fold line 115 b, folding a second first and second side flap 118 b, 126 b inward along fold lines 117 b and 125 b respectively, and folding a second front flap 122 b inward along fold line 121 b, forming bottom panel 132. The first back flap 114 a is folded inward along fold line 115 a, the first first and second side flap 118 a, 126 a are folded inward along fold lines 117 a and 125 a respectively, and the first front flap 122 a is folded inward along fold line 121 a, forming top panel 130.

In a left hand-erector machine, completed container 100 can be formed from palletized container 160 by erecting palletized container 160 as described above, folding a second back flap 114 a inward along fold line 115 a, folding a second first and second side flap 118 a, 126 a inward along fold lines 117 a and 125 a respectively, and folding a second front flap 122 a inward along fold line 121 a, forming bottom panel 132. The first back flap 114 b is folded inward along fold line 115 b, the first first and second side flap 118 b, 126 b are folded inward along fold lines 117 b and 125 b respectively, and the first front flap 122 b is folded inward along fold line 121 b, forming top panel 130. It is appreciated that the container 100 formed from the left-hand erector machine is identical to the container 100 formed from the right-hand erector machine, except that the container 100 can flipped 180 degrees so that the bottom panel 132 on a right-hand erected container 100 becomes the top panel 130 on a left-erected container. Similarly, the top panel 132 on a right-hand erected container 100 becomes the bottom panel 132 on a left-erected container 100, as shown in FIG. 4.

The container 100 can then be split into two portions 136, 138 by breaking or tearing the container 100 along line of weakness 134 to create the shelf ready container 100 as shown by the upward pointing arrow in FIG. 1B. Opening features 156 can be included along the line of weakness 134. The opening features can be holes, or perforated punch-out configured to be removed when creating the shelf ready container. Opening features 156 can facilitate in breaking the container 100 along the line of weakness 134.

FIGS. 5-6B show another shelf ready container 200 formed from a blank 202. Blank 202 for comprises a plurality of panels 206, 208, 210, 212 connected together at fold lines 211, 209, 207 configured for extending at least partially around an interior space 204. The panels can include a front panel 206, a first side panel 208, a back panel 210 opposed to the front panel 206 and a second side panel 212 opposed to the first side panel. A pair of opposed back flaps 214 are foldably connected to opposed edges 216 of the back panel 210 along fold lines 215 a, 215 b. A pair of opposed first side flaps 218 are foldably connected to opposed edges 220 of the first side panel 208 along fold lines 217 a, 217 b. A pair of opposed front flaps 222 are foldably connected to opposed edges 224 of the front panel 206 along fold lines 221 a, 221 b. A pair of opposed second side flaps 226 foldably connected to opposed edges 228 of the second side panel 212 along fold lines 225 a, 225 b.

The blank 202 can be configured such that a first one of the back flaps 214 a, a first one of the first side flaps 218 a, a first one of the front flaps 222 a, and a first one of the second side flaps 226 a are configured to form a top panel 230. The blank 202 can be configured such that a second one of the back flaps 214 b, a second one of the first side flaps 218 b, a second one of the front flaps 222 b, and a second one of the second side flaps 226 b are configured to form a bottom panel 232.

The blank 202 can include a line of weakness 134 that can be defined across the back panel 210, the first side panel 208, the front panel 206, and the second side panel 212. The line of weakness 134 can be configured to allow separation a top portion 236 of the container 200 from a bottom portion 238 of the container 200. The line of weakness 134 can be configured so the top portion 236 and bottom portion 238 of the container 200 are the same size and shape.

At least a portion of the line of weakness 134 can follow at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels, for example edges 224 or 216. The line of weakness 134 can also follow a central portion of an edge of the front panel (e.g. edge 224), and a central portion of an edge of the back panel (e.g. edge 216). For example, front and back panels 206, 210 can include tabs 248, 250 along the line of weakness 134, however tabs 248, 250 may be pre-cut and may not form a portion of line of weakness 134.

Blank 202 can be folded to form a palletized container and can be erected to form a shelf ready container 200. It is appreciated that blank 202 can be folded to form palletized container 260 and erected to form shelf ready container 200 in the same manner described above with respect to blank 102. It is also appreciated that blank 202 and container 202 can have the same ambidextrous properties as described above with respect to blank 102 and container 100.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for convertible retail ready packaging where a single inventory of palletized blanks can be used on both right-handed or left-handed erector machines without there needing to be any difference in appearance in the retail setting. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A blank for forming a container comprising: a plurality of panels connected together at fold lines configured for extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel, a first side panel, a back panel opposed to the front panel and a second side panel opposed to the first side panel; a pair of opposed back flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel; a pair of opposed first side flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel; a pair of opposed front flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel; and a pair of opposed second side flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel, wherein a first one of the back flaps, a first one of the first side flaps, a first one of the front flaps, and a first one of the second side flaps are configured to form a top panel, wherein a second one of the back flaps, a second one of the first side flaps, a second one of the front flaps, and a second one of the second side flaps are configured to form a bottom panel, and wherein a line of weakness is defined across the back panel, the first side panel, the front panel, and the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness is configured to allow separation of a top portion of the container from a bottom portion of the container, and wherein the line of weakness is configured so the top portion and bottom portion are the same size and shape so the blank can be erected on a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without changing appearance of the container after converting.
 2. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein a front panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a back panel portion of the line of weakness.
 3. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein a first side panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness.
 4. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the front panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel.
 5. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the first side panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel.
 6. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the line of weakness follows at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels.
 7. The blank as recited in claim 6, wherein the line of weakness follows a central portion of an edge of the front panel, and a central portion of an edge of the back panel.
 8. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the line of weakness does not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel.
 9. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the line of weakness includes at least one opening feature configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness.
 10. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the line of weakness extends across an adhesive flap extending from the blank.
 11. A container comprising: a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior space, including a front panel connected to a first side panel, a back panel connected to the first side panel, and a second side panel connected to the back panel and to the front panel; a pair of opposed back flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the back panel; a pair of opposed bottom flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the first side panel; a pair of opposed front flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the front panel; and a pair of opposed top flaps foldably connected to opposed edges of the second side panel, wherein a first one of the back flaps, a first one of the first side flaps, a first one of the front flaps, and a first one of the second side flaps overlap to form a top panel, wherein a second one of the back flaps, a second one of the first side flaps, a second one of the front flaps, and a second one of the second side flaps overlap to form a bottom panel, and wherein a line of weakness is defined across the back panel, the first side panel, the front panel, and the second side panel, wherein the line of weakness is configured to allow separation of a top portion of the container from a bottom portion of the container, and wherein the line of weakness is configured so the top portion and bottom portion are the same size and shape so a blank from which the container is erected can be erected on a right-handed erector machine or a left-handed erector machine without changing appearance of the container after converting.
 12. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein a front panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a back panel portion of the line of weakness.
 13. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein a first side panel portion of the line of weakness has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with a second panel side portion of the line of weakness.
 14. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein the front panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel.
 15. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein the first side panel, including its portion of the line of weakness, has 180° rotational symmetry in a plane defined by the blank with the back panel.
 16. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the line of weakness follows at least a portion of an edge of at least one of the panels.
 17. The container as recited in claim 16, wherein the line of weakness follows a central portion of an edge of the front panel, and a central portion of an edge of the back panel.
 18. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein the line of weakness does not follow any edges of the front panel, first side panel, back panel, or second side panel.
 19. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein the line of weakness includes at least one opening feature configured to facilitate initiation of breaking the line of weakness.
 20. The container as recited in claim 10, wherein the line of weakness extends across an adhesive flap extending from the blank. 